Monthly Book Recommendation:
Carly’s Voice: Breaking Through Autism
Written by: Arthur Fleischmann with Carly Fleischmann
I could not more highly recommend a book. This is a true story about a girl (now woman) named Carly who is on the autism spectrum and is nonverbal. I see this book as two separate stories:
- the parents’ story (including Carly’s teachers)
- Carly’s story
I am particularly drawn to books about autism that are told from the perspective of family members, and especially from the person with autism her/himself.
Carly learns to type at the age of ten, and is finally able to express her needs/wants–and witty personality (not a spoiler–it’s on the back cover of the book). One is able to read a first-hand account explaining many of the behaviors Carly exhibits and how it feels to be Carly with autism. It is significant, because this is all from a person who was presumed to have low intellectual functioning.
If you read this book, you will grow in both compassion and understanding. It is excellent.
